Protecting device



March 31. 1925. 1,532,037 R. E: CAHILL.

PROTECTING DEVICE F iled Pee. 20, 1922 @L l I: j)

WITNESS: ATTORfEY Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

UNITED STATES ROBERT EMETT CAHILL, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

PROTECTING DEVICE.

Application filed December 20, 1922. Serial No. 608,030.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. CAHILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Protecting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for pro tecting parts of the body from blows and the like, the general object of the invent1on being to provide pneumatic cushions for covering the parts to be protected.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for attaching the cushions to the body and to use parts of the device independently of the other parts. I

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in Which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the device in use.

Figure 2 is a sectional View of the cap and neck part.

Figures 3, 4t and 5 are detail views.

In these views, 1 indicates a cap which is formed of rubber or the like and which is provided with an air chamber 2 which can be supplied with air through a valve 3. The cap is provided with elongatedneck parts 4 which are also provided with air chambers in communication with the air chamber 2 so they can be inflated. Straps 5 are secured to these neck parts so that they can be fastened to the arms of the wearer. A long rubber strip 6 having an air chamber therein is hingedly connected with the rear part of the cap as shown in Figure 4: of the drawings by the fastener 7 so that this strip can be detached from the cap when desired.

A belt 8 is secured to this strip so it can be fastened to the body and thus protect the spine of the wearer from blows or the like. This strip is adapted to be inflated by a pump or the like placed on the valve 9. A pneumatic fan shape pad 10 is integrally formed with the strip on diametrically opposite sides and near the bottom for protecting the hips. I also provide a chest protector 11 for protecting the front of the body. This part is provided with a collar 12, arm straps 13 and a belt let. It is also provided with a valve for permitting it to be inflated. Thus a person wearing these devices will be protected from injury from blows and falls or'the like. This invention is suitable for foot ball players and players of other rough games and the invention is also useful in other situations. Parts of it may be used by children to protect them from injury and it will of course be understood that the entire device or parts thereof maybe used.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim. Having thus described my invention what I claim is A *protecting device of the character de scribed comprising an inflatable cap, tubular neck pieces depending from diametrically opposite sides of the cap and being in communication therewith, a strip hingedly secured to the rear of the cap and depending therefrom in spaced alignment with the spine of a wearer of the protector, a laterally disposed fan shaped pad integrally formed with the strip adjacent its lower end and one being arranged on each side thereof, means whereby the pads and strip may be inflated simultaneously and a chest protector having partsr associated with the tubular neck pieces as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affixed my signature.

ROBERT EMETT GAHILL. 

